...Bozzo Professor Katie Robinson English 102 5 October 2014 The Blame Game The Downfall of Oedipus and Othello Both Othello and Oedipus are dramatic plays of tragic circumstances. Although written at different times and by different types of writers, each play has some of the same elements. Deceit, violence and self-destruction reign throughout. Each features men of great power reduced to nothing. However, the downfall of Oedipus is the work of the gods; the downfall of Othello is self-inflicted. Little is known of Shakespeare’s early life, but by 1592 he was well-established and successful in his vocation.(Folger, xxiii) By the time Othello was first performed, the author was already one of the most popular playwrights of his day and many of his best plays were already behind him.(Folger, xvi) His career spanned about 20 years. (New Folger, xxvi) Othello was composed between 1601 and 1604, with its first performance being in 1604. (Folger, x) The play was very popular and records indicate it remained popular through the seventeenth century. The source of the play was a short story from the Hecatommitchi, a collection of short stories by an Italian named Giovanni Battista Giraldi, published in 1565. (Folger, xi) The specific story is from a section of the collection titled “The Unfaithfulness of Husbands and Wives.”(Folger,xi) The main type of imagery used in Othello is that of animals in action, preying on one another. (Shakespeare’s Imagery, 335) In the play, Othello...
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...Oedipus Rex is one of many plays written by Sophocles. It’s the first of three plays telling the story of Oedipus, the King of Thebes that tries to run from his prophecy of him killing his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus attempts rather fruitlessly to avoid this ill fate, but only manages to run right into it. Oedipus has multiple flaws that can contribute to him running towards his fate, and I believe Oedipus’ biggest flaw is that he is a coward. Oedipus attempts to run away from his problems instead of facing them head on. When Oedipus is initially confronted by Teiresias about killing his own father, he freaks out. He immediately accuses Tiresias of lying about what happened and believes he’s doing to it cover up the fact that Tiresias himself is really the one that killed Laius (Pg. 21). Oedipus won’t even listen to Tiresias’...
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...In reading the story of Oedipus, I noticed the theme of fate throughout the events that occurred to Oedipus. In three occasions, Oedipus tried to be protected against the fate he was prophesized to fulfill. Jocasta, his birth mother, attempted to steer her infant son from his fate by giving him away to slaves soon after his birth. After being summoned by a grown Oedipus, the servant from Corinth also tried to protect him against the truth of his fate. Tieresias also attempted to withhold the truth of Oedipus’ fate with no success. In all three instances, I saw how Oedipus’ pride got in the way of the protection everyone was trying to offer him. Oedipus was arrogant and stubborn in his nature and believed his commands had to be obeyed by the people he summoned because he was king. He argued with Jocasta, the servant Corinth, and Teiresias when they tried to cover his fate, but his pride caused all three to tell him the hurtful truth. In the beginning of the story, Laius consults the Oracle of Apollo in order to find out why he and his wife couldn’t conceive. A prophecy came from the Oracle, telling Laius that any son they may conceive would end up killing Laius and marrying his wife. When the time came that Jocasta bore a son, she gave him away to a servant in order to leave him out to die. Her attempts to avoid the prophecy from being fulfilled were unsuccessful when the infant Oedipus was handed over from servant to servant until finally being adopted by Polybus, the king of...
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...Sophocles, the author of Oedipus the King, used three main types of irony to develop the theme: no matter the difficulty of the feat, fate predetermines the outcome. Verbal irony occurs when a character says the opposite of what they mean. Oedipus uses sarcasm in his discussion with the chorus to attack Apollo. The second type of irony, dramatic irony, happens when the audience knows more than the characters. For example, no one but the audience knows that Oedipus killed King Laius. The last type of irony, situational, happens when the characters does the complete opposite of what the audience expects. For instance, the audience expected...
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...Oedipus Gateway Style Essay No one can decide where and how one comes from. Being born into an awful place or situation creates a huge impact on one’s actions and choices. Oedipus, born to live a terrible fate, makes arrogant actions and ignorant choices. Although Oedipus brings Apollo’s curse to fulfillment and ultimately his own downfall, Oedipus is not to blame for his miserable life. He is an innocent man unlucky to have been born into a father’s curse. King Laius, Oedipus’s father, brings upon a curse on himself but also on his own son, Oedipus, even though Oedipus was not born yet. The fact that Oedipus had nothing to do with his own fathers curse exculpates Oedipus from creating his own demise. Oedipus could not control the fact that the curse was going to be fulfilled: “If you cannot be free of the gods, then you cannot be made free” (DOC A). The fact that Oedipus is a human and Apollo a god, shows how powerless the king Oedipus is. The power of Apollo’s ability to manipulate peoples’ thoughts leads Oedipus to make rash decisions and to ignorantly curse himself. The curse that King Laius gives to Oedipus shows how guilty Laius is and not his son. Oedipus does not realize that he is the king’s son and the husband of his own mother. After receiving a prophecy to kill his own father and marry his own mother, Oedipus runs away, and blindly kills the king of Thebes without realizing the fact that he has killed his biological father. Not knowing that...
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...Greek tragedies. Most people do not take the time to think about the elements that make them tragedies or make the characters in them tragic heroes. In one of the “earliest surviving works of dramatic theory” of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, he laid out his rules for what is the foundation of a tragedy and a tragic hero. In the play by Sophocles, Oedipus stands out as a classic representation of what a tragedy hero is. Oedipus the book has key aspects that Aristotle said to make a tragedy and a tragic hero. One of the requirements for being a tragic hero according to Aristotle is "a [great] man who is neither a paragon of virtue and justice nor undergoes the change to misfortune through any real badness or wickedness but because of some mistake." There must be some mistake made by the character flaw that causes the great man’s fortunes to turn for the worst. Aristotle felt that there were certain plot devices that needed to take place in order for it to qualify as a tragedy and for the character to really be a tragic hero. Without a tragic hero there cannot be a tragedy happening, plot is a very important point. The plot of a true tragedy should be complex and consist of reversal and recognition. Both of these plot elements are contained within the play Oedipus the King. The play starts out highlighting Oedipus’ character by showing him talking to the grieving citizens in front of his palace. They are praying to the gods to stop the plague that is destroying Thebes...
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...Oedipus Is to Blame In Sophicle's Oedipus The King, Oedipus plays the lead character in the play. Oedipus plays blindfolded throughout the play. His character that he betrays is typical of those who honestly believe they have no part in the situation that occurs. I agree with Bernard Knox that Oedipus is responsible for the tragic outcome of the play. Oedipus's investigation of the death of King Laius is the reason for the tragic ending. The scene where Oedipus opens the investigation is the first step toward his downfall. Oedipus covers up the murder and is nervous when he hears the news. It is Oedipus's continuous effort to find the murderer. He wants to find the murderers of the king, not knowing that he is the murderer. Oedipus is the head investigator for the murder of King Laius. Even though he tells the people of Thebes that, "I am ready to help." He promises the people that he would do anything to find the murderers of Laius. Trying to seek all knowledge of the situation, Oedipus request the presence of the servant that was pardoned. The servant not knowing the request has arrived to give Oedipus some shocking news about his royal family. Oedipus, seeing his responsibility, demands anyone who knows about the murder to come forth. The City of Thebes is weak and powerless after the death of the king Laius. Oedipus says, "My spirit grieves for the city, for myself and all of you." If Oedipus...
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...doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.” There are times when the truth can bring out peoples “dark side”. People are often placed in situations where the truth needs to heard. Oedipus’ actions reveal the universal truth: the truth does not always want to be heard. In Oedipus Rex, the idea of the truth is apparent. Oedipus knows he is cursed, however, he does not want to believe it will ever occur. Oedipus goes through many crossroads, and is challenged with the truth. Tiresias, the blind prophet, is known for expressing the truth, “I say that you are Laius’ murderer – He whom you seek” (14). Oedipus refuses to believe the truth, since the blame is on him. Defensively, allegations are made by Oedipus, as soon as he does not hear the answer he intends: “Know, I am suspect you joined a hatch the deed; Yea, did it – all but slaying with your own hands” (13). Tiresias tries to convince Oedipus he is speaking the truth, however Oedipus only hears what he wants to hear. Hearing the truth can create exonerate actions. Oedipus holds onto the one detail, which would not make him the murderer, “robbers abroad / Have murdered, at a place where three roads meet” (26). However, in the back of his mind, he knows he killed a man where three roads meet, “It seems I have but now / Proffered myself to a tremendous curse” (27). This event questions the truth-seeking process Oedipus is undertaking. Accepting a role in someone’s life can be a strenuous...
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...September 2013 Oedipus Tragic Hero Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as a person, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Although this definition accurately describes Oedipus’ character, tragic hero is more of an apt description. A tragic hero is defined usually by the following: One, A man of noble stature. Two, A selfless man who is not afraid to come under scrutiny. Three, The hero honorably receives the punishment given to him. From the beginning to end of the play Oedipus The King, by Sophocles, Oedipus truly defines himself as a hero, a tragic hero. Oedipus is first introduced as the sole ruler of Thebes. Kings/Dictators are usually looked down upon due to their brash and selfish behavior, but Oedipus is the opposite. A priest say, “Therefore, O mighty power, we turn to you: find us our safety, find us a remedy, whether by counsel of the gods or of men. A king of wisdom tested in the past can act in a time of troubles, and act well. Noblest of men, restore life to your city! “(Sophocles 2) when Oedipus makes a declaration to save the city of Thebes from the ongoing plague. The priest calls him the “Noblest of men” in marvel, at the fact, a man of such high stature and importance takes the time to address the concerns of his people. The words used to describe Oedipus such as liberator, noblest of men, boldness, and mighty power show that the people of Thebes rely on and look to Oedipus for safety and guidance...
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...the play Oedipus Rex. This play consists of a king known as Oedipus who has been doomed with a horrendous fate. For example, his prophecy was: “As, that I should lie with my own mother, breed children from whom all men would turn their eyes; and that I should be my father’s murderer,” (42) this was brought upon him by the gods. Oedipus assumed that he could simply run away from this issue that is his destiny. But little did he know he had no power to alter the future, his fate rested in the hands of the Greek gods. The play clearly...
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...English- Block B 25 October 2012 Fate or Coincidence Fate can be described as something that which is inevitably predetermined. People say things happen for a reason and at times people cannot control how things go. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus hears from a prophet that he will kill his father and marry his mother. One day on his way into the city he encountered some people whom and he got in a fight with and ended up killing, little did he know it was his father. Since he solved the riddle from the Sphinx in front of Thebes he became ruler. He fell in love with a woman named Jocasta, little did he know it was his mother. Oedipus had no idea how bad things were but he would soon realize. After a bad plague was cast on Thebes, the blind prophet, Tiresias, told Oedipus that whoever killed the Laius the king would have to confess to it. Tiresias blames Oedipus for the crime saying “this day will bring your birth and your destruction” (Sophocles 184). Oedipus had no idea that Laius was the king and better yet his father. Was this just a coincidence this happened or was it fate? Oedipus never knew how bad things were or else he probably would never have done those things. Someone has a plan for everyone and things are going to happen for a reason. When Oedipus finds out the truth of what happened he is shocked. He even denied it when accused of committing the crime but now he “called down a dreadful curse upon [himself]” by denying it (Sophocles...
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...Death after Death, Pain after Pain The Greek tragedies and the Shakespearean ones have been, for long, the most famous dramas in time. These could be ones that other writer’s look up to in order to make a good story. Aside from these are both intellectually made, the story of each are guaranteed to touch the hearts’ of the viewers. The story flow of Oedipus Rex can be foretold after watching just the first scene for it is easily noticed from the hints given on the first part of the play. Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet, on the other hand, can’t be, for the events are consequent. You cannot tell what’s going to happen until someone from the play has done something that will affect the story, for example, the death of Polonius made Ophelia mad, and later on she killed herself. It is not perceived that Ophelia will die. Since Oedipus Rex’s sequence of events is laid easily, the pacing of the story is fast; no doubt the whole story happened in just a day, while Shakespearean ones could have happened in weeks or even months. The Greek tragedies are always affected by destinies as for in Oedipus Rex, it is Oedipus’ destiny to kill his father and marry his mother, while the other one, the story happened in persons’ judgment throughout the event. The characters in Oedipus are very few compared to Shakespearean Tragedies that is composed of maybe 20 characters, more or less. It can’t be blame; the story can be completed without a lot of characters. Greek tragedies have been famous for...
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...fully diminished. One act of violence calls for revenge, which will also then call for revenge, which acts as an endless vicious cycle. Understanding this, Gerard explains that sacrifice is a communal outlet of violence. “The function of sacrifice is to quell violence within the community and to prevent conflicts from erupting.” (pg. 14) Girard furthers his argument by providing a counter-point in the example of modern day society, where we no longer use sacrifice to keep violence in check, and supplies an answer immediately. Instead of sacrifice we have implemented a judicial system. This judicial system “serves to deflect the menace of vengeance.” (pg. 15) Religion also is a tool that is used to keep violence in check, and therefor Girard explains it to be a leading reason that sacrifice and religion are connected, “It postulates a strange mixture of violence and nonviolence.” (pg. 20) In other words it entertains the sinful nature of humans in a saintly way making it acceptable in human discourse. These traits of sacrifice are heavily displayed in the case of Oedipus. There are many situations where instead of wide spread violence breaking out, there is a redirect of communal support against one being. This is easily seen in the rejection of Oedipus, instead of everybody turning against one another in blame for the horrible deeds that took place, everybody blamed Oedipus and cast him out of Thebes. Another occurrence in this pattern is that of Oedipus’ sons. They open the...
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...The two most prominent themes included in Sophocles’ play, Oedipus The King, that are also major themes throughout Greek tragedies are fate and sight. Fate, described as unescapable, and sight, described as blindness vs. knowledge, both are incorporated into Sophocles’ play. The main character, Oedipus, is the king of Thebes and viewed as their savior against the sphinx. Oedipus the king, is one of the best known Greek plays, in my opinion, mainly because of Oedipus’ blindness to how his actions were making his fate come true. This particular play gives insight on the Greek concepts of fate and sight with the different prophecies told by an insightful yet blind prophet, Tiresias. Through many examples in this play, fate and sight are intertwined...
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...Blindness in Oedipus the King People can be “blinded” to the truth. The answer to their question or solution to their problem may have been obvious. Yet, they could not "see" the answer. They were blinded to the truth. Associations have been made between being blind and enlightened. A blind person is said to have powers to see invisible things. They "see" into the future. The blind may not have physical sight, but they have another kind of vision. In Sophocles' King Oedipus, Teiresias, the blind prophet, presents the truth to King Oedipus and Jocasta. Oedipus has been blinded to the truth his whole life. When he does find the truth, he loses his physical vision. Because of the truth, Oedipus blinds himself. Jocasta was blind to the true identity of Oedipus. Even when she found out the truth, she refused to accept it. In this case, those who are blind ultimately do have a higher vision - the truth. Kind Oedipus started life with a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. In an attempt to avoid this fate, his parents, Laius and Jocasta, sent him into the mountains to die. However, a shepherd saved Oedipus. This shepherd gave Oedipus to Polybus and Merope. When Oedipus learned of his prophecy, he fled his home, thinking these people were his real parents. On his flight, he met Laius. He ended up killing Laius. He continued on, answered a riddle of the evil Sphinx, and ended up king of Thebes. With this kingdom, Oedipus married Jocasta. He had lived out...
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